Verse 1

Odessa, the fellowship hall's been ready since six
Foil on the chicken, three cakes and a folding chair fixed
They came up from Macon and down from the Sardis road
Everybody who ever ate at your table showed
You said keep it quiet, so naturally we did not
And the deacon found a tambourine and he's giving it all he's got

Chorus

Ninety years of Sundays, and she ain't missed but four
Two for the flu and two for the ice in fifty-four
Ninety years of Sundays — honey, sit down and be praised
We are hollering your name in the house where you were raised
Ninety years of Sundays, clap it out, every one

Verse 2

You buried a husband and you raised your brother's child
You fed the whole choir out of one deep freeze for a while
You said sing it flat and loud before you sing it pretty and scared
You said grace so long the greens went cold and not one of us cared
You still walk down Vineville for your own bread and your own tea
And you still put a dollar in the plate for somebody like me

Chorus

Ninety years of Sundays, and she ain't missed but four
Two for the flu and two for the ice in fifty-four
Ninety years of Sundays — honey, sit down and be praised
We are hollering your name in the house where you were raised
Ninety years of Sundays, clap it out, every one

Bridge

We asked what you wanted and you said nothing on this earth
Just everybody in one room and the windows open first
So the windows are open, Odessa, and the whole road can hear
Ninety years — we are not whispering this year

Outro

Ninety years of Sundays, and one more coming round
Same seat, same tambourine, same joyful noise
Happy birthday, Odessa — the choir's already on its feet